Big Run GC
A view over the water of a hole at Big Run Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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3.8
926 Reviews (926)
5 Stars
266
4 Stars
339
3 Stars
157
2 Stars
96
1 Stars
68
Conditions
3.5
Value
3.9
Layout
4.5
Friendliness
4.1
Pace
3.9
Amenities
3.3
78.2%
Recommend this course
679 out of 926 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.5
33 Reviews (33)
5 Stars
8
4 Stars
12
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
3
Conditions
3.5
Value
3.8
Layout
4.5
Pace
3.8
Amenities
3.1
StaffFriendliness
3.6
69.7%
Recommend this course
23 out of 33 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
69 Reviews (69)
5 Stars
20
4 Stars
32
3 Stars
9
2 Stars
5
1 Stars
3
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.9
Layout
4.6
Pace
3.8
Amenities
3.4
StaffFriendliness
4.0
81.2%
Recommend this course
56 out of 69 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Big Run's dramatic elevation changes and challenging layout consistently earn high praise from golfers seeking a true test. Noticeably improved course conditions and friendly staff make this a strong value worth booking.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 7028 yards
Slope 142
Rating 74.6
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Big Run Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1930
Fairways Blue Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Harry B. Smead (1930) Dick Nugent (1986) Ken Killian (1982)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range No
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Dicover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Proper attire is required.

Available Facilities

Banquet Facilities

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Most Improved U.S. Golf Courses (2025 #24)
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Reviews

3.8
926 Reviews (926)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 34
Watching the Game 7
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 71
Undulating Greens 60
Plays Long 57
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 61
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 37
Locals 27
This Course's Location is:
In the 'Burbs 64
Worth the Drive 42
Convenient to the City 7

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Awesome design and layout

This is a well designed course with lots of elevation changes, that present lots of different shots that usually in this area.

It is not designed for walkers, so if you decide to hoof it, be prepared. Lots of hills to climb and climb back down, lastly being the 18th.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 11
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great potential but falls short.

Haven't played course in a decade. Only difference now are more dead, dying and potentially hazardous tall oak trees that should be cut down. Some dead trees are right over tee boxes like hole tens back tee box. Dead branches were on the tee box. The greens were slow and spongy probably due to previous nights rain, pretty much the first significant rainfall this year, but my guess is that they could never be hard and fast without some work.. Balls seemed to disappear in the rough even though it wasn't tall grass. And when you did find your ball it most likely wasn't yours, because this course like many courses have scrambles on the weekend which slows everybody down to a 5+ hour round by golfers who are more interested in drinking than golfing. This course layout is great, with hills, trees, and distance being about 7000 yards from the tips. If it wasn't for the Golf Now "hot deal" we wouldn't have played it. Only reason I'm recommending this course is due to the layout but that's it.Too bad.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 25
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course conditions

Fairways were terrible… Nothing but the dandelions and weeds… Landscape crew was more concerned about getting rakes in the sand traps then grooming the course… Doubt if I’ll play there again

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
2.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

This course is very difficult and not enjoyable. Don't play 18 your first time, you will be frustrated, play 9.

My neighbor recommended this as a great place to play. This course is long, hilly and difficult. If you are not used to playing on hilly courses. This course will be very difficult. If you don't have pinpoint accuracy on your drives you will lose your balls. This was a very long and hot day for us. If you have walking issues? We walked 5.5 miles with carts over 18 holes, mostly looking for our balls in the rough.

My advice, if you want the mountain experience, Play 9 holes at this course. You will get the taste of playing on a hilly course, see the incredible hole locations and not leave exhausted.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Layout

Roughs were too long. Other than that course was nice I enjoyed the layout

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 117
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

very long 7000 yard old course with good layout

worth 80 minutes driving to play. And will play again for a good deal with friends.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Big Run, great layout but poorly managed.

This course used to be one of the best kept secrets in all of the Midwest. Over the years neglect has caused this course to take a beating. For some reason they have refused to every add a qualify practice facility and take care of this once great golf course. The best thing that could happen if for them to sell it or have a management company such as Kemper take it over. Hopefully one day we will see that happen, but until then spend your time and money elsewhere.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Old poor course

Well let’s start with the fairways hard to define which is which .. if you find your ball is in the ruff good luck grass is to deep could have spend up to five minutes per per person looking for your ball .. lastly the greens are good if you could avoid all the junk on them over I would think twice before playing this old course in poor condition.. very disappointing!!!!!!!

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Upkeep

This course is HOGWASH. Everything was long, including greens, tee boxes and fairways. Would have been fun if they can get a decent grounds crew out there.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
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Golf Packages

Destination Kohler - Champions' Trail Golf Package

FROM $617 (USD)
KOHLER, WI | Enjoy 2 nights’ accommodations at The American Club or the Inn at Woodlake and 3 rounds of golf at Blackwolf Run (River or Meadow Valleys Course) and Whistling Straits (Straits or Irish Course)

Destination Kohler - To Dye Four Golf Package

FROM $557 (USD)
KOHLER, WI | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at The American Club or the Inn on Woodlake and 4 rounds of golf at Blackwolf Run (River & Meadow Valley Courses) and Whistling Straits (Straits & Irish Courses).

Shanty Creek Stay & Play Package

Click Below
BELLAIRE | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Shanty Creek's Lakeview Hotel or Lodge of Cedar River and golf at Shanty Creek - Cedar River, Hawk's Eye, Legend, Schuss, or Summit Courses.
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